US pressed to move 9/11 trial from New York

The US administration is considering moving the trial of the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks out of New York City, officials have said.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is due to be tried with four other suspects. On Thursday Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he had asked the attorney general not to hold the trial in Manhattan, near the site of the attacks. The mayor had strongly backed the trial but changed his mind this week citing cost and disruption. Several other senior politicians including Governor David Paterson and both state senators have expressed opposition to or doubts about the proposal.

The suspects are currently being held in Guantanamo Bay, but will be moved as part of President Barack Obama's efforts to close the prison. Some relatives of 9/11 victims say they oppose a federal court trial, and many Republicans in Congress favour military tribunals over civilian trials. New York Congressman Peter King has introduced a bill to block Justice Department financing for federal court trials of Guantanamo detainees. However, White House officials say Mr Obama remains committed to the civilian option.

'Too disruptive'

Last month officials said the trial would be held at a federal court in lower Manhattan, after announcing the move in November. Mr Bloomberg initially said it would be fitting that the suspects should face trial near the site of the World Trade Center. But on Thursday he called Attorney General Eric Holder to ask for the trial to be moved. Several lawmakers from around the country have made similar requests. "There are places that would be less expensive for the taxpayers and less disruptive for New York City," he told journalists. "For example, military bases away from central cities where it is easier to provide security at much less cost." However, Mr Bloomberg said that if necessary "we will do what we're supposed to do".

'Number three'

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has been described by US investigators as "one of history's most infamous terrorists". They say he has admitted being responsible "from A to Z" for the 9/11 attacks. Believed to be the number three al-Qaeda leader, he was captured in Pakistan in March 2003. He told a pre-trial hearing at Guantanamo in December 2008 that he wanted to plead guilty to all charges against him. But intelligence memos released last year revealed he had been subjected to harsh interrogation techniques including water-boarding on multiple occasions since his capture - potentially rendering some evidence inadmissible. The other four men - the two Yemenis, a Saudi and a Pakistani-born Kuwaiti who have shared hearings with Mr Mohammed at Guantanamo Bay - are also accused of helping plan and finance the attacks.